#PenRelays2018 coverage is brought to you from Franklin Field Stadium (April 26-28) by WIHCON
Calabar High’s 4x400m quartet is beaming with joy, after their stunning world high school record 3:03.79 run to win Saturday’s (28 April) Penn Relays, Championship of America title.
“Super special, super special, can’t ask God for more,” was how assistant coach Omar Hawes described his team’s performance.
The 3:03.79 lowered the previous record of 3:05.04 set at the Corporate Area Meet in February.
“We came for the win, but the record was very special, it was more like a surprise to us. We wanted to get the record, but the manner in which they did it, oh my God, its great, its a great feeling,” Hawes said.
Malik James-King led off with a 47.6 split to Anthony Carpenter’s 45.5, then Shemar Chambers ran for 45.8 seconds, to hand off to Christopher Taylor who closed in 44.84 secs.
However, unlike their coach, all of the boys believed 3:03 mins was always possible for them to achieve and promised they are capable of running 3:02.
Taylor, the man who led his team home, spoke of the overall feeling of the team. “It feels very good,” he said. “We opened the season with 3:05 in Feb, so we knew we could do it, so we just went out there and executed.”
Carpenter, who ran the second leg, said “We have worked very hard this season and it came, so we are very grateful.”
He said the plan was always to run 3:03 this season, but they fell short at Corporate Area Meet with a 3:05.
James-King, the third leg runner, said “We just went out and did what we had to do, we executed a proper race and we got the record, so we are thankful.”
“Its a good feeling, we are in the history books once again and we are going to continue doing this until we finish school.”
Chambers believes his team can do better: “I think we can run 3:02,” Chambers said.
Asked if a lot more is expected of this team, Carpenter replied, “very much, World Juniors”
